New CBP ACE Portal Automation: TAO Reactivation, Lookup, and Account Webforms

CBP updated its IEEPA Duty Refunds guidance on June 16, 2026 with practical fixes for one of the most common CAPE blockers: an importer that cannot create, reactivate, or administer its Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Portal account.

The update adds account application webforms, automated Trade Account Owner (TAO) reactivation, and a TAO lookup process. These changes arrive shortly before the planned June 29 CAPE Phase 2 reconciliation deployment, so importers should test account access now rather than on filing day.

What CBP Added on June 16

The CBP IEEPA Duty Refunds FAQ now identifies four operational tools:

1. Importer Account Application for a single Importer of Record number
2. ACE Portal Account Application Web Form for multiple IOR numbers and supported account-management changes
3. Automated TAO reactivation through an email with reactivation in the subject line
4. Automated TAO lookup through an email with Trade Account Owner Lookup in the subject line

CBP also restated the contact split:

• General IEEPA refund questions: traderelations@cbp.dhs.gov
• Technical CAPE questions: IEEPARefunds@cbp.dhs.gov
• ACE account support and the new automations: ACE.Support@cbp.dhs.gov

Use the Right ACE Account Webform

CBP distinguishes between two application paths.

Single Importer of Record

Use the Importer Account Application when creating an ACE Portal account for one IOR number. Before starting, confirm that the Point of Contact email on the CBP Form 5106 importer record is current because verification may depend on that address.

Multiple IORs or Account Changes

Use the broader ACE Portal Account Application Web Form when:

• the new account includes multiple IOR numbers;
• a company needs to add sub-accounts;
• identifiers must be added to an existing top account; or
• TAO information must be updated.

CBP notes that the webform supports these changes for account types other than Exporter and Protest Filer accounts. Review the ACE Portal account setup guide before submitting so the IOR, entity name, and account structure are consistent.

How Automated TAO Reactivation Works

If the Trade Account Owner account is inactive:

1. Send the email from the address associated with the TAO account.
2. Address it to ACE.Support@cbp.dhs.gov.
3. Include reactivation in the subject line.
4. Follow the automated confirmation or additional instructions.

The associated sender address matters. If a former employee controlled the registered mailbox, the company may need to update TAO ownership instead of using the simple reactivation route.

For the full dormant-account workflow, see how to reactivate an inactive ACE Portal account before filing CAPE.

How the TAO Lookup Process Works

If nobody at the company knows who the current TAO is:

1. Email ACE.Support@cbp.dhs.gov.
2. Put Trade Account Owner Lookup in the subject line.
3. CBP’s automation notifies the current TAO of the lookup request.
4. The requestor receives a confirmation email.

The lookup process identifies the administrative owner; it does not automatically transfer ownership. If the current TAO has left the company, use the account webform and be ready to document who is authorized to become the new TAO.

The TAO update guide explains why this role also affects broker access and ACH refund administration.

What the Automation Does Not Do

The June 16 changes do not solve every ACE access problem:

• Non-TAO users cannot reactivate themselves; the company TAO must reactivate them.
• Restoring a login does not fix an incorrect IOR number.
• Reactivation does not enroll or repair ACH refund banking.
• A TAO lookup does not transfer account ownership.
• ACE access does not make an otherwise excluded entry eligible for CAPE.

Treat login access, account structure, ACH banking, broker authorization, and entry eligibility as separate checks.

CAPE Readiness Checklist Before June 29

Run this checklist before preparing a Phase 2 reconciliation filing:

• At least one current TAO can log in.
• The registered TAO email is controlled by the company.
• The correct IOR numbers appear under the account.
• The filing broker is properly authorized.
• ACH refund banking is current.
• CAPE and relevant ACE reports are visible.
• Reconciliation entries are separated by whether an Entry Type 09 is already on file.
• Liquidation dates and 180-day protest deadlines are calendared.

Use the June 29 Phase 2 refund pipeline update for the current reconciliation scope and the CAPE filing guide for the broader process.

Keep Protest and CIT Planning Separate

ACE access is an operational prerequisite, not a legal preservation mechanism. If account recovery takes longer than expected:

• file or evaluate a protective protest within 180 days of liquidation;
• ask the authorized broker whether eligible entries can be filed while importer access is restored; and
• obtain Court of International Trade advice for material finally liquidated entries.

The CAPE, protest, or CIT decision framework explains how those paths interact.

Source Notes

Source: CBP IEEPA Duty Refunds FAQ, updated June 16, 2026. The page identifies the application webforms, automated TAO reactivation process, TAO lookup process, and official contact addresses. CAPE Portal Guide is not CBP, a customs broker, or a law firm.

If your ACE ownership, broker authorization, ACH setup, and filing deadlines overlap, request a free assessment before treating the account problem as a simple password reset.